Director, Head of First Line Risk & Control

Do you want your voice heard and your actions to count?

Discover your opportunity with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), one of the world’s leading financial groups.

Would you like to work for one of the world's largest banks in an exciting, dynamic and international environment?

We are currently recruiting for a Director, Head of First Line Risk & Control in our Amsterdam office.

About MUFG Bank (Europe) N.V.

MUFG Bank (Europe) N.V. (MBE) is a fully-owned subsidiary of MUFG Bank, headquartered in Amsterdam. With offices throughout Europe, our teams provide clients with comprehensive financing solutions spanning Coverage & Structured Finance, Capital Markets and Transaction Banking, using MUFG’s global reach to provide bespoke solutions. With 73 green, sustainability, sustainability-linked and transition bond tranches in 2021 and 51 sustainability-linked loans in EMEA in 2021, MUFG is committed to supporting clients to achieve sustainable business growth.

Your impact at MUFG

The Head of First Line Risk & Control (FLR&C) is a senior leadership role within the COO domain, acting as a key enabler of effective risk ownership in the first line. As part of the Management Team, you will report directly to the Chief Operations Officer and play a critical role in strengthening operational risk management across the business.

You will lead the FLR&C function, ensuring that business and operational units manage risks consistently and effectively. By translating second line frameworks into practical, embedded processes, you will enhance control design, execution, and oversight, driving a strong and sustainable risk culture across MBE.

Function positioning

You will report functionally and hierarchically to the Chief Operations Officer. The role holds accountability for the First Line Risk & Control framework across MBE and leadership of a team of three Risk & Control specialists.

You will work closely with:

• COO domain leadership and business units
• Second Line Risk (ORM), Compliance, and Internal Audit
• Subject Matter Experts (e.g., IT/Cyber, Data, Financial Crime)
• Senior governance forums (e.g., Control Committee, Operational Committee)

The role includes the following:

• Own and drive the effectiveness of first line operational risk and control practices across MBE
• Define, implement, and continuously enhance the FLR&C operating model while maintaining clear risk ownership within the business
• Lead and develop a team of three Risk & Control professionals, fostering capability, accountability, and growth
• Establish and maintain a robust internal control framework aligned with the Group ORM framework, taxonomy, and regulatory expectations
• Translate risk policies, methodologies, and control objectives into practical tools, templates, and standards for consistent adoption
• Coordinate and maintain risk and control inventories, including the domain control library across business units
• Drive high-quality RCSA execution by ensuring completeness, consistency, and alignment with risk taxonomy and rating standards
• Take ownership of the Key Control Testing (KCT) programme, ensuring effective control testing, result consolidation, and issue tracking
• Oversee issue and remediation management, ensuring control weaknesses are clearly understood, challenged, and resolved in a timely manner
• Provide insightful risk analysis and management information, transforming operational data into actionable risk intelligence and thematic insights
• Prepare and deliver risk and control reporting to governance committees, ensuring transparency on control effectiveness and emerging risks
• Act as the primary first line counterpart to the COO on risk, control effectiveness, and systemic weaknesses
• Establish, chair, and continuously improve governance forums such as the Control Committee
• Build a strong first line risk culture by enhancing ownership, accountability, and adoption of the Operational Risk Management Framework (ORMF)
• Partner with senior stakeholders to provide challenge, commercial insight, and support on strategic initiatives and remediation programmes
• Collaborate with second line Risk and Audit, acting as a key liaison within the three lines model
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory obligations, internal policies, and governance standards
• Lead talent development, succession planning, and team culture initiatives

In order to be successful in the role, you will need the following:

Skills and experience

• Extensive experience in wholesale banking (e.g., corporate banking, markets, transaction banking) with strong understanding of end-to-end processes
• Proven leadership experience in first line risk & control, including RCSA, control frameworks, and issue remediation
• Deep expertise in operational risk aligned with Basel Committee standards
• Strong ability to influence, challenge, and engage senior stakeholders across business, risk, and audit functions
• Demonstrated experience with risk data, KRIs, dashboards, and GRC systems
• Solid understanding of regulatory expectations and experience managing regulatory and audit interactions
• Ability to translate policies into practical, measurable controls in complex environments

Education and qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or Risk Management
• Additional qualifications in risk management, governance, or internal audit practices are advantageous

What we are looking for

• Structured and disciplined approach with strong organizational skills
• Pragmatic decision-maker with sound judgment and business awareness
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing capabilities
• Ownership mindset with end-to-end accountability
• Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills and focus on root causes
• Resilient and effective in high-pressure, regulatory-driven environments
• Clear and concise communicator, able to translate complex risks into actionable insights
• High integrity and commitment to fostering a strong risk culture

Personal requirements

Integrity and Responsibility

• Balance Risk with Opportunity
• Customer Focus
• Demonstrate Global Perspective

Professionalism and Teamwork

• Drive For Results
• Collaborate and Build Partnerships
• Communicate Effectively and Professionally

Challenge Ourselves To Grow

• Influence and Inspire Others
• Lead Change & Seek Continuous Improvement
• Think Strategically
• Manage and Develop Talent

Besides that we will offer you:

• 8% holiday allowance and 13th month payment
• 30 vacation days per year, with the option to buy 15 additional days
• Commuting allowance based on annual public transport 2nd class, most economical way, or €0.23 per km with a maximum of 75 km one way
• €5.00 net remote working compensation per day, with a maximum of €60.00 per month
• Possibility to order a mobile phone (up to €800)
• Possibility to order office equipment for the home office (up to €500)
• Remote Working Policy, including Working From Home (WFH) and remote working in another country
• Bicycle plan (fiscal benefit)
• Company fitness (fiscal benefit)
• Mental health workshops and budget for external courses, such as Dutch language classes
• Employee contribution towards pension insurance (max 5%, currently 2%); the pension scheme is based on a defined contribution scheme
• Training and development possibilities paid by the bank

We are open to considering flexible working requests in line with organisational requirements.